Spraying apparatus for introducing substances into the body or applying substances onto the body

ABSTRACT

A spray can for introducing or applying of substances into or onto the body is provided. The spray can includes an elastic container of filler substance serving as an energy storage and a valve unit. The value unit has a connection part for inserting into the neck of the container so that contact surfaces of the neck and of the connection part are applied against each other. At least one of the two elements has a projection in the region of the contact surfaces, which engages with corresponding projections of the other of the two elements or engages with complementary recesses of the other of the two elements. The neck of the container and the connection part are joined together as a kind of snap closure. At least one of the pairs of contact surfaces broadens along the lengthwise axis in one or the other direction, where the broadening runs conically.

[0001] The invention concerns a spraying apparatus for introducing substances into a human or animal body or applying substances onto such. In particular, it concerns a spraying apparatus for use as an asthma spray.

[0002] Numerous spraying apparatuses have become familiar, although they are not specially used for the mentioned purpose. In particular, the valve units of the known spraying apparatus are configured differently. As an example, reference is made only to U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,309, and also U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,953,753, 3,672,543, 2,816,690.

[0003] Such valve units are connected gas-tight to spray cans. They are generally configured so as to fulfill a dual purpose. Namely, they are configured so that a substance that is contained in the can or filler substance can be introduced through the valve into the spray can, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the filler-substance can flow in the opposite direction from the spray can through the valve and emerge from a spray head when properly manipulated by the user.

[0004] Valve units with the corresponding spray cans are mass-produced articles, which are made and distributed in production batches of many million units. One requires an extremely efficient fabrication process, in particular, an extremely rapid filling process.

[0005] It is an essential requirement that valve units must meet the needs of the user, and therefore the flow rate of filler substance must have the necessary properties when employed by the user. Excessively high flow rates are undesirable here.

[0006] Thus, the two requirements are opposed to each other, namely, the requirement for rapid filling and thus a high flow rate in the filling direction, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the requirement for a measured emptying and thus a moderate flow rate when employed by the user. Known valve units do not fulfill both requirements.

[0007] A further important requirement consists of the following: the individual structural parts, in particular, the valve unit and the container for the filler substance should be joined together quickly, easily, and cost-effectively. It should be possible to use a standard valve, as well as a standard can. In particular, the spray can should be suitable for introducing or for applying substances into or onto the human body, for example, for applying an anti-asthma drug.

[0008] This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] The inventors have chosen a solution that is as simple as it is effective. In this way, one can quickly, swiftly and reliably make a connection between the container for the filler substance and the valve unit. But the connection can also be reversed once again, if desired, so that said two parts can be used separately.

[0010] By the term “valve unit” is meant generally that part which is responsible for the filling and emptying of the container for the filler substance, as well as the dispensing of the filler substance when the spray can is used. It can also mean only one part of the mentioned valve unit, for example, a connection part, as set forth in the description of the drawings.

[0011] The invention is explained more closely by means of the drawing. This shows, specifically:

[0012]FIG. 1 shows a spray can with empty container 1 for filler substance.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a spray can with full container 1, filled with filler substance.

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a connection part 2 with mounting surfaces 2.1 for locking lugs 1.1 of the container for filler substance.

[0015]FIG. 4 shows a container 1 for filler substance with snap lugs 1.1.

[0016]FIG. 5 shows in detail the upper region of the container 1 for filler substance with snap lugs 1.1, the connection part 2, the valve unit 3 and the can 4.

[0017]FIG. 6 shows a connection part 2 with mounting surface 2.1 and boreholes 2.2.

[0018]FIG. 7 shows a container 1 for filler substance with snap elements 1.3.

[0019]FIG. 8 shows in detail the upper region of the container 1 for filler substance with snap elements 1.3, the connection part 2, the valve unit 3 and the can 4.

[0020]FIG. 9 shows a spray can in mounted state, front view, and partly in cross section.

[0021]FIG. 10 shows a cutout from the upper region of the spray can in enlarged view.

[0022]FIG. 11 shows schematically a connection part as component of a valve unit, connected to a container for filler substance.

[0023]FIG. 12 shows the connection part according to FIG. 11 in front view.

[0024]FIG. 13 shows the container for filler substance according to FIG. 11 in a perspective view.

[0025]FIG. 14 shows the container for filler substance according to FIG. 11 in front view.

[0026] FIGS. 15 to 18 show, once again, structural parts analogous to the parts of FIGS. 11 to 14; FIGS. 15, 17 and 18 show the container for filler substance in the filled state.

[0027] FIGS. 19 to 22 are representations similar to those of FIGS. 11 to 14, but with a differently configured connection between the container for filler substance and the connection part.

Function of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5

[0028] The container 1 for the filler substance is placed onto the connection part 2; in this process, the locking lugs 1.1 bend outwardly and then snap back when the container has been pushed fully in place. The bottom sides of the locking lugs 1.1 then lie against the mounting surface 2.1 of the connection part and hold the container in position. Thanks to increased wall thickness 1.2 in the upper region of the container, no strain is produced here and thus this region is sealed off. The container for filler substance can also have the same wall thickness all around, in which case an outer ring with locking lugs is directly sprayed on. Thus, the outer ring forms a single piece with the container for filler substance.

Function of FIG. 6 to FIG. 8

[0029] The container 1 for filler substance is placed onto the connection part 2; in this process, the snap elements 1.3 are pressed through the boreholes 2.2 and engage against the mounting surface 2.1 after passing completely through the holes.

[0030] An important advantage of the invention is that the spray can and its insides have few parts. This applies, in particular, to the region of the neck of the container 1 and the connection part 2. There is no need here for a peripheral collar or a clamping ring or the like. The connection between these two parts is designed first and foremost as a snap closure. See the mentioned locking lug 1.1 in FIG. 4 or the mentioned snap elements 1.3 in FIGS. 7 and 8, which function as a kind of push button.

[0031] The spray can shown in FIG. 9 comprises the following basic parts: one recognizes a container 1 for filler substance, an inner valve 2, an outer valve 3, as well as a sleevelike connection part 4. The two valves 2, 3 are each inserted in the connection part 4 and supported by the latter. The container 1 is screwed onto the connection part 4 and held in this position by a collar 5. A can body 6.1 with a lid 7 surrounds the mentioned parts. A spray cap 7 is seated on the outer valve 3.

[0032]FIG. 10 again shows the container 1 for filler substance, the connection part 4 and the inner valve 2. The valve body 2.1 of the inner valve 2 is in the closed position of the seal disc 2.4, which is held between the valve body 2.1 and a shoulder of the connection part 4. The valve body 2.1 is held in this closed position by a compression spring 2.2. The compression spring thrusts against the bottom of a cuplike holder part 2.5, which in turn is carried by a clawlike connection of the connection part 4.

[0033] Connection part 4 has a sleeve 4.1 to accommodate the valve body 2.1. The sleeve 4.1 has lengthwise slits 4.1.1.

[0034] Connection part 4, furthermore, has a sleeve 4.2 used to accommodate the outer valve 3. This shall be discussed further hereafter.

[0035] The thread between container 1 and connection part 4 is a buttress thread.

[0036] Connection part 4 is that part which is a component of the valve unit and which is to be joined to the container for filler substance.

[0037] The following features can be important:

[0038] The container 1 for filler substance, which consists of a rubber-elastic material, has a trapezoidal thread in its neck region. Thus, the neck region can be screwed onto the connection part 4 of the valve unit. For this, the neck is slightly enlarged upward—in the direction of the valve unit. The pair of contact surfaces, which are formed from the outer circumference of the connection part 4 and the inner circumference of the neck of the container 1, therefore has a larger diameter at the upper end than at the lower end.

[0039] A further advantageous feature is the clamping sleeve 5. In the present instance, this is pushed from below onto the container 1, until it reaches the state depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, where it is tightly seated on the outer circumferential surface of the neck of the container. Once again, a pair of surfaces is formed here, first, from the outer circumferential surface of the neck region of the container 1, and second, from the inner circumferential surface of the clamping sleeve 5.

[0040] This pair of surfaces also broadens toward the top.

[0041] This broadening is advantageous. It could also be provided in reverse, so that one or the other or both of said pairs of contact surfaces could broaden toward the bottom.

[0042] One interesting embodiment also consists of the fact that the first mentioned inner pair of contact surfaces tapers in diameter toward the top, but the second, outer pair of contact surfaces broadens toward the bottom, or vice versa. In general, the conical broadening has proven to work best.

[0043] FIGS. 11 to 14 are confined to the basics. They reveal the decisive features of the invention, as mentioned above.

[0044]FIG. 15 clearly reveals the conicity of the neck piece of container 1, and also at the same time the conicity of the pairs of surfaces involved. Here, the inner pair of contact surfaces is formed practically only from the buttress thread turns.

[0045] The embodiment according to FIGS. 19 to 22 likewise contains all advantageous features of the invention. A substantial difference from the preceding embodiments, however, is that a single annular ring is provided instead of a thread. The annular ring runs as a closed ring around the lengthwise axis of the container.

[0046] Instead of a single annular ring, two or more annular rings can also be provided.

[0047] It is also possible to provide a kind of bayonet closure instead of peripheral annular rings. Specifically, this would appear as follows, for example: the annular ring which is molded onto the inside of the neck of the container 1 is divided into several segments. This means there is no closed peripheral ring, but rather an annular ring composed of several segments. The individual segments thus extend only across a particular angular region.

[0048] Analogously to such segments of the neck of the container, similar segments would be molded onto the connection part 4. The segments of the connection part 4, of course, are located on its outer part and thus are facing the neck of the container.

[0049] To produce a closure, the neck of the container 1 is pushed onto the connection part 4 and then turned to some degree, so that the segments of the neck of the container engage with the segments of the connection part 4.

[0050] As is usual with a bayonet lock, the segments have a certain slope—viewing in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the container—so that a wedge effect is achieved.

[0051] Instead of a single collar of segments, of course, it is also possible to provide several such collars of segments on the two parts, i.e., on the container 1 for filler substance and on the connection part 4. 

1. A spray can for introducing or applying of substances into or onto the body; 1.1 with an elastic container (1) of filler substance, serving as an energy storage; 1.2 with a valve unit (4), which has a connection part (2) for inserting into the neck of the container (1), so that contact surfaces of the neck and of the connection part (2) are applied against each other; 1.3 in the region of the contact surfaces at least one of the two elements has a projection, which engages with corresponding projections of the other of the two elements, or engages with complementary recesses of the other of the two elements; 1.4 the neck of the container (1) and the connection part (2) are joined together as a kind of snap closure (1.1, 1.3); 1.5 at least one of the pairs of contact surfaces broadens along the lengthwise axis in one or the other direction; 1.6 the broadening runs conically.
 2. The spray can according to claim 1, further characterized in that the two pairs of contact surfaces are broadened in opposite directions.
 3. The spray can according to claim 1, further characterized in that the form closure between valve unit (4) and neck of the container (1) is produced by a thread.
 4. The spray can according to claim 3, further characterized in that the thread is a buttress thread.
 5. The spray can according to claim 1, further characterized in that the neck of the container (1) for filler substance is surrounded by a clamping ring (5).
 6. The spray can according to claim 1, further characterized in that a form closure is also produced between neck of the container (1) for filler substance and clamping ring (5), corresponding to the form closure between the neck of the container (1) and the valve unit (4). 